POST COMBAT STRESS DISORDER POST synonym "AFTER" - the word TRAUMA is inherent in the term "COMBAT" - to fight against, to oppose by force (with the intent to inflict traumatic wounding and/or death) thus the term PCSD interprets - AFTER COMBAT TRAUMA STRESS DISORDER - THE MOST SERIOUS FORM OF WAR RELATED PTSD: "PCSD" is a very serious wound in the form of a severe psychological disorder resulting from the direct clash of arms; the individual active participation in intense, prolonged, highly contested battle on one or more military operations; i.e. kill or be killed; direct engagement in the raw, bitter, bloody nature of war.
"It's not what we don't know that hurts, it's what we know that ain't so." - Will Rogers
THE CONCEPT OF "PCSD"
And Purple Heart Medal Proposal
THE WARRIOR STANDARD
~ BASIS ~
"To care for him who shall have borne the battle..."

President Abraham Lincoln ~ SUGGESTED CRITERIA ~ 1) Only combat arms, hard core, tip of the spear, front line fighters are to be classified as suffering from PCSD. In short, those warriors whose mission it is/was to seek out and destroy the enemy and did so! Even if the individual is only temporarily thrust into that status due to widespread hostilities and satisfactory combat performance is witnessed and documented by at least two supervisors and entered into unit records: Examples - Presidential Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award and/or personnel records. Documented individual battle histories, combat awards and decorations stand as testament to honorable individual actions and behavior exhibited while engaging our nations enemies on the battlefield.
It is suggested that those warriors suffering from PCSD (because of direct engagement of the enemy on the battlefield) rated 70% or higher disability because of said PCSD, be awarded the Purple Heart Medal as a result of this very serious, intentional, enemy inflicted battle wound. (The reason being that warriors rated PCSD 70% or more service connected disability can be declared 100% disabled based on unemployability by the VA.)

It is imperative that the cause of PCSD, COMBAT, be addressed (awarding the Purple Heart Medal) to remove unwarranted stigmas from the individual soldier's "military mind set"!
In the other two categories listed below, i.e. GIs suffering from combat-related PTSD, and people suffering PTSD are victims, caught in circumstances beyond their control.
Those suffering PCSD are the only ones who fight/fought courageously for their nation, God, people and beliefs. PCSD is the only category of stress where a warrior may have (had) to take the life (lives) of another/other human being(s). Killing, even in battle, has its cross to bear for most individual warriors and if one is worried about their soul it can exacerbate stress in that person, greatly. These distinctive facts demand separating PCSD from other types of traumatic stress and merit adopting this concept and proposal ASAP! Please honor those who deserve to be recognized for risking their life, limbs and mental health on the battlefields of freedom! Thank you!

SAVING LIVES BY FOSTERING DIGNITY, HONOR, UNDERSTANDING AND PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE is the major goal and objective of conceiving and presenting this concept and proposal.
THE AWARDING OF THE PCSD PURPLE HEART MEDAL WOULD BRING WELL DESERVED DIGNITY TO THE WARRIOR'S ENEMY INFLICTED COMBAT WOUND, HIS NEVER ENDING SUFFERING AND SAY "THANK YOU!" FOR BRAVELY FACING AND FIGHTING OUR NATION'S ENEMIES ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF FREEDOM CLOSE UP AND PERSONAL!

2) GIs exhibiting combat-related trauma and stresses (ors) not resulting from direct kill or be killed battle (the individual did not directly engage the enemy with return fire, he/she merely sought cover and protection) would still be rated from 0 -100% service connected disability, the same as PCSD, only their category, (classification, cause) i.e. Combat-related PTSD and their ineligibility for the Purple Heart Medal would be different. These personnel do not meet the criteria to be classified as warriors! Understandably, if they receive an eligible physical wound, inflicted by the enemy, they could be awarded the Purple Heart for that specific wound.

3) The term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) should refer only to non-war related trauma and stress inflictions such as those suffered as a result of crime (examples - assault, rape), accidents - (examples car wreck, helicopter crash), and natural disasters (examples - hurricane, earthquake, tornado). These people are victims, not warriors!

It should be understood without saying that the nature of the wars we are fighting, long occupations of embattled countries, extended and repeated deployments, family separations, broken and failed marriages all exacerbate the symptoms and severity of PCSD and combat related PTSD in the individual GI.
This concept/proposal is simple, common sense logic and it is sound. It is not meant to be a "cure all" but it would go a long way in easing the sufferings of our warriors and support personnel. If only those in power would adopt it! It could and would work by distinguishing and addressing causal reasons of stress and offer relief to sufferers at all levels of severity and nature, as well as instill pride instead of misery, despair, and all too often, suicide in those warriors who fought the hardest and bravest for our people and nation!
As well as the psychological benefits of implementing this concept and proposal is the undeniable fact that it would encourage all non-combat personnel to pick up a weapon and join in the fight instead of merely hunkering down seeking protection and cover! After all, the main reason our military exists is to destroy our enemies on the battlefield! Well… this policy would help get the job done!

GOOD NEWS! - RECOGNITION FOR ENEMY INFLICTED COMBAT BLOODLESS WOUND! NPR - March 17, 2011: "Acknowledging that commanders have sometimes wrongly denied the Purple Heart to soldiers who suffered battlefield concussions, the Army plans to issue new guidance to clarify when such recognition is warranted, Army officials said Wednesday."
PCSD HAS BEEN DENIED TOO LONG!
NOW IS THE TIME TO RIGHT A TERRIBLE WRONG! "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." - Ephesians 4:25
IN WAR ALL COMBAT WOUNDED MUST BE INCLUDED TO PRESERVE UNITY, HARMONY AND IMPARTIALITY IN OUR BAND OF BROTHERS!
"...seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." - Matthew 13:13
I pray those in authority see, hear, understand and have the wisdom to adopt and enact this concept before more lives are ruined or lost!

A simple little device, a silent, "thank you" and long overdue respect could reduce so much pain and save so many precious lives...
Post Combat Stress Disorder is an honorable enemy inflicted wound.
It is time it is treated as such!

COMBAT STRESS?


ABOVE THE REST!

©Nothing is more intense than fighting for your life for the sake of your country, its people and your beliefs. Every aspect and moment of it is ingrained in your being and the fervor of it touches your very soul. In no other situation is the difference between life and death, for self and others, determined by the immediate actions of those involved in the struggle for survival in the heat of battle. The chaos, immensity and passion of it all overwhelm the senses and time stalls in the reality and memory of it. One’s actions and deeds are entwined with the sacrifices and sufferings of everyone at hand. All… all is endured for the sake of something bigger than self. All is for your God, family, freedom, country and the love of your fellow man. This is the sanctified nature of Post Combat Stress Disorder (PCSD) and that is what separates it from all other anxiety disorders.
From a medical standpoint, in my opinion, there is little, if any, significant difference between combat related PTSD (not PCSD) and PTSD manifested as a result of traumatic events that occur in the “civilian” world.
However, victims of crime, natural disasters and accidents (PTSD) are caught in circumstances beyond their control. Police, (Of course, stress disorders resulting from police combat should be referred to as PCSD.) fire, EMT, first responders, etc. volunteer to rescue and treat such victims and should be lauded for their courage and selflessness.
A most important fact to remember: through the eyes of our nation's warriors and the proud, gung-ho military mind-set, only they are called upon to fight in far away lands, endure many deprivations, Spartan living conditions, constant threats to life, limb and mental health and last, but not least, take the lives of enemy combatants in protection of our homeland, national interests and freedom. This is the bloody nature of war and is the reason PCSD should be classified separate from other stress related or caused disorders (including the less severe form of combat related PTSD - i.e. hunkering down but not fighting back) and considered a psychological, enemy inflicted wound.

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life.” - James 1:12

Until the Armed Forces, the Veterans Administration and political leaders recognize, respect and acclaim those brave warriors who are most likely to suffer from PCSD… those who distinguished themselves in battle and shouted, “Follow me!” … Despair and suicide will continue to reduce their ranks… at the expense of us all! Officials must admit that PCSD affects the bravest of the brave and remove the injurious stigma of perceived and mistaken weakness! The demoralization and dejection of them must end now… before more warriors are victimized or lost!
It is up to the government “to separate the wheat from the shaft” by identifying and punishing those who fraudulently claim to have served our nation and our people so valorously and loyally! Not only are these imposters discrediting our true warriors, they are impairing the prompt and proper treatment of those who need it the most, at the cost of some of the lives of our nation’s heroes!

KEEP IN MIND
ONLY 15% OF U.S. TROOPS IN VIETNAM ACTIVELY ENGAGED ENEMY!
VFW Magazine - February 2010 Think about it... why would any reasonable and prudent GI volunteer for hazardous duty in an elite force and constantly put their life on the line if any “remf, ghost or slacker” could obtain the same recognition, medical treatment and “earned” benefits easily obtained by any “chairborne commando” who claims he bore the brunt of the battle? Yes… warriors receive medals and recognition for completing a job well above standard! They put great value on these awards for they earned them the hard way. Everything that graces their uniform and enhances their esprit de corps has great meaning to them and the military... because the military knows the value of keeping morale and standards high to achieve and maintain exemplary performance… through individual and unit recognition! Never forget... our military exists for one reason and one reason only... and that is to seek out the enemies of our people, our way of life and our nation and destroy them! Those suffering from PCSD did exactly that! They did the grunt work, and they are paying a very high price for going where others feared to go and doing what others feared to do! Because of these facts they and PCSD, itself, deserve to be placed in the highest valued category. Why? I’ll say it again… because warriors got PCSD fighting bravely for their country, they suffer terribly because of it and they deserve to be lauded and be proud of it! Our daring warriors suffering from PCSD will forever sacrifice and suffer for your freedom… it is the nature of war and the resulting, inevitable PCSD. Can you find it in your heart to grant them the dignity they have truly earned? All who love the freedoms they secure for this great nation owe them that much! Support The Lair's PCSD Concept and Purple Heart Medal Proposal! Please provide them this opportunity for a brighter tomorrow, thank you!
Just over 58,000 U.S. combat troops in Vietnam were killed-in-action.
TO DATE: 120,000 plus HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE DUE TO PCSD!

GREAT NEWS! On 5 December, 2010 I sent letters to Senator Burr, Senator Hagan and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (all NC) asking them to sponsor/cosponsor a bill supporting the Lair’s PCSD Concept and PHM Proposal and to form a bi-partisan committee to make it law. Yesterday, 3 February 2011 I heard from Senator Burr’s Office that he is presently considering my request. Senator Burr is the ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. So… there is hope, please keep up your support and prayers for this effort. Thanks, Grif. TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE SOME LIVES!

©If my mental health is anomalous because I fought bravely for my country, My God, my beliefs, my family, my friends and for caring about my fellow man, I humbly pray my mind will continue to decline everyday, for the rest of my life! Grif

The mission of Griffin's Lair is to assist all in need of understanding Post Combat Stress Disorder "PCSD", combat-related PTSD, and PTSD (not war related) in a cathartic manner which benefits all afflicted by way of an informative, comprehensive (30+ pages) website which offers two compelling and poignant Post Combat Stress Disorder books, written by one who has suffered grievously, and continues to suffer through the ravages of this serious, life-ruining or life-ending disorder. These two books are from the heart, from warrior to warrior, to all those who suffer, or may suffer from combat stress in the future, and to all who love and care about them. To this end Griffin's Lair has also conceived, developed and is pleased to present a PCSD Concept and Purple Heart Medal Proposal that forms a common sense basis and easily definable levels of causal types of stress that coupled with professional care would aid and expedite the healing process and satisfy the rigidly proud, “military establishment and military mindset" as well as satisfy all victims of stress related trauma, not necessarily caused by direct, kill or be killed, combat exposure. The end results bringing dignity and inner peace to those who fought for our nation honorably and bravely by eliminating the undeserved stigmas presently attached to such serious, psychological wounds that all-to-often end so tragically.
Warriors suffering from PCSD deserve to be recognized and treated promptly with dignity, respect, and courtesy and receive the professional care they were promised by our government, during and after military service. Griffin's Lair is committed to seeing that long overdue honor and recognition is someday achieved for our courageous PCSD battle wounded and the plague of warrior/veteran suicides so painfully evident today comes to an abrupt, positive and final conclusion!
Your interest is appreciated and your support is solicited. Please, I ask you, again, to contact your political representatives and ask them to support Griffin’s Lair’s PCSD concept and Purple Heart Medal proposal. May God bless those who risk all for the sake of others... and may He bless you, you patriots who care about them!

THE TRUE ACCURATE DEFINITION AND CAUSE OF PCSD IS: ©COMBAT STRESS is a significant element of proficient armed, deadly enemies wounding and killing each other violently, traumatically and intentionally, inflicted in battle, usually not realized by those thus wounded (affected) until well after the life and death struggles end, i.e., PCSD! -Peter S. Griffin

that fights for the only MINORITY GROUP in this country whose voice is not heard and heeded by our military, political leaders and press: AMERICA'S ELITE WARRIORS! The United States military consists of less than 1% of more than 308 million Americans. Warriors, those who do the fighting up close and personal, make up only 1/8th of that one percent!
NEVER HAVE SO FEW PROTECTED SO MANY! PTSD and PCSD may share the same symptoms but the cause of those symptoms is vastly different for those suffering from PCSD! Those suffering PTSD are victims who surrender all because of their fears! Those with PCSD are brave warriors who ignore their fears, repeatedly, and get the job done and the battles won! THAT IS ONE HELL OF A DIFFERENCE! Warriors must be made proud of their enemy inflicted PCSD wounds! They exposed themselves for the sake of others, our country, our interests and our way of life!
HEROES ARE NOT VICTIMS!
GRANT THEM THE DIGNITY THEY EARNED!
THEY DESERVE TO BE AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL!

"HOOAH!"
PCSD WARRIORS ARE HEROES, THEY ARE NOT WEAK!
"...HE WHO SPREADS SLANDER IS A FOOL." - PROVERBS 10:18

PCSD REVEALS A BRAVE WARRIOR'S COMBAT HISTORY!

Post Combat Stress Disorder is an honorable battle wound, inflicted by our nation's deadliest enemies! All battle wounds… both physical and psychological are a sign of a warrior's love for his people. Both should be treated with respect and dignity. Our government and people must realize and accept that PCSD is a very serious wound resulting from toe to toe… up close and personal combat before the plague of suicides affecting our military community and courageous veterans will subside!

~ Statistics from the U.S. Infantry Museum ~
IN WW I, WW II, KOREA AND VIETNAM
INFANTRY SUSTAINED 80% OF ARMY CASUALTIES!
Only one out of every 7.5 active duty soldiers are in the infantry!
More than half of all Medal of Honor recipients are infantrymen.
70% of all Army decorations for valor were awarded to infantrymen.

"On average 18 veterans commit suicide each day. Five of those veterans are under care at VA.” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki
Dear Mr. Shinseki, if Post Combat Stress Disorder is not a wound, why does it put so many warriors in their tomb? Grif

CONQUERING PCSD TOGETHER!

WARRIORS HELPING WARRIORS!
"Only the dead have seen the end of the war." Plato
DIGNITY, NOT DEATH!

PCSD warriors, willingly, you risked your all,
Not many others, brave enough to answer that call…
For risking life, limb and your mental health,
In Heaven, God has reserved your place and wealth!
Because you were willing to lay down your lives,
So unselfishly, for the sake of others…
Know that I am proud to be your friend and brother!

"The Mercy of God enlightens and strengthens."
Quelling the inner strife of
© P ost C ombat S tress D isorder
CHANGE THE NAME TO EASE THE PAIN!
"To care for him who shall have borne the battle..."
President Abraham Lincoln

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JUSTICE SOUGHT!
REMOVE STIGMA SOLVE ENIGMA!
MAKE THE CHANGE TO END THE SHAME!

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"The news that 22,000 veterans called the military's new suicide hotline in the past year was somewhat disturbing. Even more troubling was the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' estimate that 6,500 veterans actually commit suicide every year."
The Seattle Times - August 28, 2008

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"Know this: wisdom is not knowledge. A lot of brilliant people have no wisdom at all. Wisdom is the ability to assimilate that knowledge to make decisions that are right, wise, and best for all concerned."
I pray our nation's leaders have the wisdom to implement the following PCSD Concept and Purple Heart Medal Proposal before many more lives are lost. These numbers demand that positive action be taken immediately! We have to change the way we look at combat stress to lessen or end the epidemic of suicides plaguing our military and combat veteran population. The solution is fundamental… we have to take something terrible and turn it into something better… we must turn it into something our heroes can live with! GOT A BETTER PLAN? LETS HEAR IT!

After you review concept below: grifslair@embarqmail.com

TO DO NOTHING IS SHAMEFUL - SLACKERS ACT OR PACK!

To ignore this calamitous situation is tantamount to negligence, ignorance and incompetence and should provoke the ire of every freedom loving, fair-minded American to demand that impeachment and dismissal from elective or appointed office be taken against those who bury their heads in the sand regarding these matters! Loss of office is a trivial price to pay for forsaking the lives of American heroes the government is duty bound to care for! Our warriors and combat veterans deserve a bright and promising future! Lets make sure they have a fighting chance at getting one!

Political leaders, I ask you...

©Of what value is the power of the mighty, the riches of the treasury and the lessons of the ages without fear of the Lord in thy mind, courage in thy heart, goodness in thy soul, others before thy self, dignity in thy office, virtue in thy rulings, worthiness in thy subordinates and honor in thy name? It is always better to be morally right than to be politically correct! Govern thy people well and they will serve you and the nation for the betterment of the entire world.
HONOR LEADS – RESPECT FOLLOWS – RIGHT PREVAILS!
Support PCSD Purple Heart NOW, please!
Our troops don't deserve them posthumously!
They go through hell for you, all I ask is you cross the aisle for them!
~ Grif ~

"The Purple Heart recognizes those individuals wounded to a degree that requires treatment by a medical officer, in action with the enemy or as the result of enemy action where the intended effect of a specific enemy action is to kill or injure the service member," Defense Department Eileen Lainez said of the decision. "PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event." It is not "a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent," but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event."
Lair reply: This might be true for rear echelon PTSD folks - "who might get bombed", but it certainly is not PCSD! Let Ms Lainez go a few rounds, toe-to-toe with hard-core enemy soldiers... I bet she'll change her wimpy attitude, ASAP! Post Combat Stress Disorder comes directly from intense, bitter, and bloody combat! And the enemy does it intentionally... and so do we! These people talk out both sides of their blowholes! They believe psychological warfare is a useful tool and that is all there is to it? Baloney! Don't Ms Lainez and her cohorts think our gallant Medal of Honor recipients and equally brave combat units inflict psychological wounds on surviving enemy soldiers who witnessed these magnificent warriors kill and physically wound their comrades despite many enemy advantages on the battlefield? Well... they do! Ask any defeated enemy soldier or force! Intense combat and the inherent, intentional psychological effects (warfare) result in both physical and psychological wounds! How come most warriors who get seriously wounded and bleed profusely suffer PCSD symptoms, also? I'll tell you why... because physical wounds affect the body and at the same time, psychological wounds can and do inflict the mind, and you do not have to be physically wounded to be psychologically wounded in intense battle where people are being killed and torn to pieces all around you! DUH!
FOR DECADES the criteria for awarding the PHM was simply "Any wound inflicted by the enemy." It has changed over the years to suit the whims of those in authority.
RECENTLY, the criteria for issuance of the PHM require that the wound must be treated on the battlefield by a medic or medical officer. I wonder what part of "Post" Combat Stress Disorder they do not comprehend?

I ask Ms Lainez and the "Pentagon" the following pertinent questions:
Besides signaling messages, maiming and killing what is/was the purpose of:
Ancients - beating on personal shields?
Wanted posters - dead or alive?
Placing a bounty on individuals - monetary rewards?
Native Americans – war cries, war paint, scalping, and torture?
U.S. WW II Paratroopers - "Mohawk Indian haircuts?"
The Confederate Civil War “Rebel yell?”
Mines and booby traps?
Killing helpless enemy wounded?
Letting the wounded enemy moan in agony for comrades to hear until death silences them?
Mutilating corpses?
Leaving "death cards" on dead enemy bodies?
Utilizing loud speaker systems?
Blaring "classical" music on attack helicopters?
Dropping leaflets with enemy soldier grasped in the talons of a eagle?
Shock and awe bombings?
"Storm" troopers?
Japanese "Kamikaze" pilots?
Terrorists and suicide bombers yelling “Allah Akbar!” and the like?
Islamic women warriors screeching?
Japanese "Bonzai" yell and charge?
NVA blowing whistles and bugles?
Suicide bombers?
IED's?
NVA dragging off their dead so their opposition could not get an accurate body count and think they were invincible?
NVA sappers tying a 15-foot rope on their ankle so if killed another sapper can pull their body back to retrieve satchel charge to try again? Now that’s dedication! And it had the desired intentional psychological affect on their enemies!
Snipers picking off officers and patrol leaders?
Darn right… these are “enemy” tactics and weapons used to instill psychological fear and stress and these are just "off the top of my head!" There are many more too numerous to mention here!
America’s enemies utilize every means and method available to them to wound and kill our warriors. There is no doubt that enemy strength, proficiency, commitment (willingness to sacrifice all), ingenuity, appearance, brutality - deployments (tactics), employments (weaponry), stealth, camouflage capabilities, geographical knowledge, influences over the indigenous population, terror and the success and frequency of military operations all combine to skillfully and intentionally impose instability, worry and stress in the minds of their adversaries by constantly presenting real or perceived threats of danger and doom, that, over time, frequency and exposure inflicts the psychological wounds that eventually evolve into full blown PCSD thus disabling or killing (proxy - suicides) their victims.
HOW CAN THE PENTAGON (OR ANY WARING FACTION) EMPLOY THE TERM, TACTICS AND PRACTICE OF "PYSCHOLOGICAL WARFARE" (i.e. the use of psychological weapons) AND CLAIM THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUNDS? PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE IS AS OLD AS WAR ITSELF AND SO ARE ITS ENEMY INFLICTED WOUNDS!
COMBAT AND DEADLY THREATS ARE "UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL" THEREFORE NO TWO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE THE SAME EXACT ACTION. THE REASONING THAT TWO WARRIORS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TRAUMA RESULTING IN ONE INDIVIDUAL SUFFERING PCSD FROM IT AND THE OTHER DOES NOT IS NOT A VALID ARGUMENT REAGARDING THE AWARDING OF THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL! BOTTOM LINE - PCSD stems from enemy inflicted, horrific suffering, violent death, and the constant threat thereof!

For these reasons and more I respectfully disagree with Ms Lainez and the Pentagon’s findings and decision in this matter. Evidently, Ms Lainez is not a student of “Psychological Warfare!” Instilling fear, terror and stress through barbaric and horrific means is as old as war itself… and it is intentional! During the Revolutionary War, British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, commander of the notorious Tarleton’s Legion was merciless when it came to utilizing horrific tactics to instill psychological terror purposely in our forces by every ruthless means he could imagine. All to great success, I might add. In recent history, only our nation has consistently restrained it’s military by abiding by the Geneva Accords! And we restrain ourselves in applying psychological means to entice our enemies to surrender by promising good treatment and fair dealings. Any violation is dealt with in accordance to law! During WW II our enemies did not abide by “civilized” standards. The same can be said about our enemies in the Korean War and the war in Vietnam. The enemies of our nation and our people in this modern age are even more brutal… in every aspect of warfare, not to mention the killing and maiming of the helpless and innocent! Terror has no limitations! Our enemies are smart, cunning and inventive! And their intention in every action is to kill, maim and cripple as many of us as possible, on and off the battlefield by every means imaginable… including the psychological disabling and the “proxy killing” (suicide) of our warriors and combat veterans! I assure you that when a combat veteran suffering from Post Combat Stress Disorder violently commits suicide by “eating his gun” or “kissing a train”… it is not a “secondary effect” to him or his loved ones! I rest my case! Those in power, please, please, reconsider this unjust, poorly thought out decision! Thank you!
(1-11-09 I have asked (then) President Elect Obama, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Senator Richard Burr, Senator Kay Hagan and the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs to overide the Pentagon's decision.) ~ Grif ~

REMEMBER, HEROIC WARRIORS CONTROL THEIR FEAR! THEY WILL REFUSE TREATMENT IF EMBARRASSMENT AND INSULT TARNISHES THEIR RIGHTFULLY PROUD REPUTATION, CODE OF CONDUCT, VALOROUS ACTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS! FRIVILOUS "PTSD" CRITERIA ONLY OPENS THE FLOOD GATES FOR TRIVIAL COMPLAINTS, FRAUD AND RIDICULE! CRY BABIES WILL OVERWHELM THE VA SYSTEM!

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24au09-15]
From Article:
“PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war.” (This is a direct insult to brave warriors suffering from PCSD! Grif)

WHAT IS DESCRIBED ABOVE IS VERY MUCH IN NEED OF CLARIFICATION! IF SUCH BEHAVIOR/REACTION OCCURS DURING OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER BATTLE IT IS COWARDNESS! IT DEFINITELY IS NOT POST COMBAT STRESS DISORDER! PCSD WOUNDED WARRIORS DO NOT RESPOND IN SUCH A MANNER! THEY CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE ENEMY EVEN AFTER A LONG SERIES OF THE BLOODIEST OF BATTLES! VERY OFTEN, COMBAT OPERATIONS INVOLVE MANY BATTLES… ONE AFTER THE OTHER FOR WEEKS, EVEN MONTHS, AND ONE OPERATION FOLLOWS CLOSELY BEHIND ANOTHER… AND ANOTHER! PCSD WOUNDED WARRIORS HAVE ALWAYS PERFOMED BRAVELY AND ADMIRABLLY DURING VERY LONG BATTLES WITH LULLS IN BETWEEN!
I ASK YOU… WHY ARE SOME TWO AND THREE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE AWARD RECIPIENTS (THEY FOUGHT DIRT LEVEL IN 2 - 3 WARS!) ONLY DIAGNOSED WITH PCSD WELL AFTER RETIREMENT FROM THE MILITARY? BECAUSE… THEY ARE TOUGH-AS-NAILS HEROES WHO REPEATINGLY IGNORED DANGER WHEN IT THREATHENED FOR DECADES! THIS IS THE CHARACTER OF THE AMERICAN WARRIOR! HOWEVER, SUCH REMARKABLE RESPONSES TO ENEMY ATTACK IN ACTIVE COMBAT, CAN EVENTUALLY SERIOUSLY WOUND HUMAN NERVOUS SYSTEMS. ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A PHYSCHIATRIST TO REALIZE THAT! WE ALL HAVE OUR LIMITATIONS. THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE CAN SUFFER FROM PCSD! WARRIORS WHO WERE AWARDED NUMEROUS VALOR MEDALS ARE PROBABLY THE MOST LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM PCSD THE WORST! YES, EVEN HEROES ARE FLESH AND BLOOD, AND NERVES… AND NERVES CAN BE WOUNDED! AN OFTEN ARE!
BRAVERY VERSES COWARDNESS REQUIRES BOLD DEFINITIONS AND A VERY CLEAR DEMARCATION LINE! THAT FEDERAL REGISTER STATEMENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED VOID FOR VAGUENESS... IT DOES NOT ACCURATELY DESCRIBE PCSD AND IS A DIRECT, RUDE AND ILLITERATE INSULT TO OUR NATION'S WARRIORS! HOW CAN SO CALLED PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE BE SO UNEDUCATED IN REGARD TO OUR MILITARY AND ITS QUALITY OF WARRIORS? IT BOGGLES THE MIND! Grif

SOME SHOULD THINK BEFORE THEY SPEAK!
"...HE WHO SPREADS SLANDER IS A FOOL." - PROVERBS 10:18

Griffin's Lair is a God fearing website that is proud to present a Post Combat Stress Disorder/Paratrooper theme that promotes patriotism by honoring America's veterans, armed forces, Gold Star Mothers, our fallen heroes and all who suffer from the ravages of Post Combat Stress Disorder. This presentation features heartfelt poetry, true combat experiences, military history, and military related links of excellence.
For those thirsting for more “inside” knowledge about war, it's many horrors, devastating consequences and the hellish symptoms of PCSD that follow our brave combat veterans home, Griffin's Lair highly recommends the poignant Anthology of War, Death and Remembrance, ©"Thoughts, Memories and Tears", and the compelling, epic autobiography, ©"When You Hear The Bugle Call", subtitled Battling PTSD and the Unraveling of the American Conscience. Both books were written to benefit combat veterans agonized by severe and chronic PCSD. Their intention is to help these brave veterans, their loved ones (Secondary PCSD) and true friends, as well as the general public, to better understand this devastating, potentially disastrous psychological, mechanical, and common response to repeated, life threatening situations. You will have several opportunities to order these books, from various sources, throughout your visit to "The Lair."
All PTSD victims... police, fire, rescue, EMT, doctors, nurses, security, first responders of all kinds, as well as terror and natural catastrophe victims would benefit by reading both of these cathartic, in depth, heartfelt and caring presentations.
As for my military counterparts, fellow police officers and all public service wounded PTSD victims... a sincere well done! Thank you for your brave service to our nation's colors, our communities and for risking all so others may live... in freedom and safety! God bless you!
All accounts were written in the indomitable, unflinching airborne/warrior spirit... No matter where, no matter when, no matter the enemy, no matter the odds, no matter the weather, no matter public support... No matter Post Combat Stress Disorder!
In order to fulfill The Lair's mission of enlightening all who need to understand the complex, nightmarish world of Post Combat Stress Disorder to expand their personal quest for internal peace, there are several portals, which will bring them and all who truly dare to care...